Bismuth(III) nitrate

Bismuth(III) nitrate is a salt composed of bismuth in its cationic +3 oxidation state and nitrate anions. The most common solid form is the pentahydrate.^[3] It is used in the synthesis of other bismuth compounds.^[4] It is available commercially. It is the only nitrate salt formed by a group 15 element, indicative of bismuth's metallic nature.^[5]

Bismuth(III) nitrate

Names
Other names Bismuth trinitrate, Bismuth(III) nitrate pentahydrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	anhydrous: 10361-44-1 Y pentahydrate: 10035-06-0 Y
3D model (JSmol)	anhydrous: Interactive image
ChemSpider	anhydrous: 96880 pentahydrate: 141368
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.707
EC Number	anhydrous: 600-076-0
PubChem CID	anhydrous: 107711 pentahydrate: 160911
UNII	anhydrous: 4R459R54N0 Y pentahydrate: FO2ICY167B Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	anhydrous: DTXSID30883121
InChI anhydrous: InChI=1S/Bi.3NO3/c;3*2-1(3)4/q+3;3*-1 Key: PPNKDDZCLDMRHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES anhydrous: [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[Bi+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	Bi(NO3)3·5H2O
Molar mass	485.07 g/mol (pentahydrate)
Appearance	colorless, white
Density	2.90 g/cm3 (pentahydrate)[1]
Solubility in water	Decomposes to form bismuth oxynitrate[2]
Solubility	Slightly soluble in acid[2]
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−91.0·10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H272, H315, H319, H335, H411
Precautionary statements	P210, P220, P221, P261, P264, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P370+P378, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation and reactions

Bismuth nitrate can be prepared by the reaction of bismuth metal and concentrated nitric acid.^[6]

Bi + 4HNO₃ → Bi(NO₃)₃ + 2H₂O + NO

It dissolves in nitric acid but is readily hydrolysed to form a range of oxynitrates when the pH increases above 0.^[7]

It is also soluble in acetone, acetic acid and glycerol but practically insoluble in ethanol and ethyl acetate.^[8]

Some uses in organic synthesis have been reported for example the nitration of aromatic compounds and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides.^[8]

Bismuth nitrate forms insoluble complexes with pyrogallol and cupferron and these have been the basis of gravimetric methods of determining bismuth content.^[9]

On heating bismuth nitrate can decompose forming nitrogen dioxide, NO₂.^[10]

Structure

The crystal form is triclinic, and contains 10 coordinate Bi³⁺, (three bidentate nitrate ions and four water molecules).^[1]